“No, not when you consider what sort of a girl she is,” replied Sim. “She was always coming and going, wandering like a wild spirit. I don’t believe she saw much of her father. He could easily keep his secret from her.”
“I believe he did,” said the Russian. “It is strange to think that once you were all so close to me, and again so near to getting the box when Clayton brought it back but was frightened away. Very strange. But, Mr. Reilly, I am neglecting you. Let me give you some more tea, if you please.”
“Not for me,” said the chief. “Coffee sets me up better. It is the cup which cheers but doesn’t give you the jitters.” He laughed. “And now, if there’s no arrests to be made, I guess we might as well call it a day, wind the clock, and put the cat out.” He laughed again.
“Your brother will be anxious about you,” said Arden. “You should let him know, Mr. Uzlov.”
“I shall. At once.”
“We are going back,” said Terry. “We could send him a telegram. In fact, we did.”
“You did?”
“I mean before we found you,” and Arden’s ruse was detailed.
“Oh, how clever of you, my dear young ladies. Yes, I must let Serge know. If you will be so good. His address——”
He fumbled in his pocket and brought out a paper with the house number in Ninth Street.